Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
- 1 John 2:3
This is the most straightforward statement about “knowing Jesus” in the entire bible. While John’s entries to holy scripture often contain poetic-like metaphors this direct revelation comes through clear and crisp, without need for interpretation. This simple entry is one of the cornerstones of our Christian faith. If we fail to acknowledge this pillar of understanding we put ourselves at the center of Christ’s condemnation in Matthew 7:21, 23 - “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. . . Christ then warns of the consequence for not doing the will of His Father
. . . And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
This vital tenet of our faith is not directed by Christ to the unbelievers but to those within the flock who ‘claim’ to know Jesus . . . personally. We hear the trumpet sounds of professing Christians all too often and then see no evidence of their salvation. The trumpet sounds are hollow. That which they claim is music is just so much noise. Jesus now asks us all this pertinent question: “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” - Luke 6:46.
The question is not rhetorical; it is direct and simply put because this is the bedrock for the foundation of true belief and faith in Christ as ‘Lord’: Christ will not save us while we continue to live in our sins. He will only save from our sins.
When we glorify God with our Christian behavior He blesses us without exception by acknowledging that He does indeed love us and know us. “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” - John 14:21. By putting our sinful lives in the past and recognizing our need to accept Jesus Christ as both our Lord and Savior we then give evidence that we truly know and love Him.
“Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
- 2 Timothy 2:19
May God always know you are His.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Sunday, September 1, 2013
To Tattoo Or Not To Tattoo - 1 Corinthians 10:23
All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. - 1 Corinthians 10:23
So is it sinful to get a tattoo? This is always a subject guaranteed to create a disagreement not only among Christians but people in general. The "tat-free crowd" likes to point to Leviticus 19:28 - "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." Tattoos and ‘piercings’ have a long association with pagan practices and for that reason alone should be avoided. However, those Christians in favor of fashionable "ink-wear" point to the fact that we are no longer under the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament for we are now under a New Covenant. So is there a quick answer? Sure, but a quick answer needs quick qualification. The answer is . . . it depends. Thought you were going to get a locked-down easily discerned answer? Not a chance. You see, while the answer is easy to arrive at it is our motivations that need testing.
First, let us look at the reason(?) for getting a tattoo. For many it is a way to distinguish themselves (as in ‘gang tattoos) or a method of self-expression (as in rebellion against the reverent or the conventional). In neither case is the reason laudable. However, there is an even more insidious reason for getting tattooed - as a cultural or worldly fashion statement. Scripture has a thing or two to say about that - "Therefore,"Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." - 2 Corinthians Also - "And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’"
Let’s look at the simple act of getting a tattoo. It involves a conscious (or semi-conscious) decision to have an image (graven or not) transferred into our very flesh with lifetime ramifications. In other words, short of a painful surgical operation, the image or images will remain in our flesh throughout our lives and long into the grave. A picture is already developing here (no pun intended).
Now add to this fact the tattoo’s price and we now have a situation where monies perhaps better spent on real human needs have been squandered on a selfish desire to somehow improve what God has created . . . you! The picture is becoming clearer now.
Remember what Jesus told us - "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:21. In the verses preceding Matt 6:21 Jesus was telling his disciples not to worry about "laying up treasures" on earth where moths and rust could destroy them. He wanted them to understand that one’s eternity should be the chief concern, not what one acquired or gained in this life. So while the mere act of getting a tattoo may not be sinful in and of itself you should probably give it the 1 Corinthians 10:23 test - is it profitable and/or does it edify? According to Strong’s, "profitable" comes to us from "expedient" - conducive, advantageous, be good for, thus profitable. "Edify" means to be a "house-builder," to build up or embolden. One need only look to the very next verse to see what Paul means by being profitable and edifying:
1 Corinthians 10:24 - "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being."Paul is telling us that we should be seeking ways to build up Christ’s church and any activity we engage in must meet this final test. Does it build up the church? Does it set us apart from nonbelievers as "holy?" Is what we are about to do or engage in setting a Christian example to our fellow Christians and those around us? Can you defend your decision to get that tattoo in light of this New Covenant scripture? I think that we now have a clear picture of what the bible has to say about tattoos. I, myself, have never felt the need or desire to mark my body with either ink or piercings; that was my choice. I have simply never seen an image that I would want to display on my skin for the rest of my life. Again - the final decision will always rest with you. Perhaps the idea is something you may just want to contemplate long and hard. Think about it! And pray for guidance. May God’s peace be with you always.
So is it sinful to get a tattoo? This is always a subject guaranteed to create a disagreement not only among Christians but people in general. The "tat-free crowd" likes to point to Leviticus 19:28 - "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." Tattoos and ‘piercings’ have a long association with pagan practices and for that reason alone should be avoided. However, those Christians in favor of fashionable "ink-wear" point to the fact that we are no longer under the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament for we are now under a New Covenant. So is there a quick answer? Sure, but a quick answer needs quick qualification. The answer is . . . it depends. Thought you were going to get a locked-down easily discerned answer? Not a chance. You see, while the answer is easy to arrive at it is our motivations that need testing.
First, let us look at the reason(?) for getting a tattoo. For many it is a way to distinguish themselves (as in ‘gang tattoos) or a method of self-expression (as in rebellion against the reverent or the conventional). In neither case is the reason laudable. However, there is an even more insidious reason for getting tattooed - as a cultural or worldly fashion statement. Scripture has a thing or two to say about that - "Therefore,"Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." - 2 Corinthians Also - "And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’"
Let’s look at the simple act of getting a tattoo. It involves a conscious (or semi-conscious) decision to have an image (graven or not) transferred into our very flesh with lifetime ramifications. In other words, short of a painful surgical operation, the image or images will remain in our flesh throughout our lives and long into the grave. A picture is already developing here (no pun intended).
Now add to this fact the tattoo’s price and we now have a situation where monies perhaps better spent on real human needs have been squandered on a selfish desire to somehow improve what God has created . . . you! The picture is becoming clearer now.
Remember what Jesus told us - "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:21. In the verses preceding Matt 6:21 Jesus was telling his disciples not to worry about "laying up treasures" on earth where moths and rust could destroy them. He wanted them to understand that one’s eternity should be the chief concern, not what one acquired or gained in this life. So while the mere act of getting a tattoo may not be sinful in and of itself you should probably give it the 1 Corinthians 10:23 test - is it profitable and/or does it edify? According to Strong’s, "profitable" comes to us from "expedient" - conducive, advantageous, be good for, thus profitable. "Edify" means to be a "house-builder," to build up or embolden. One need only look to the very next verse to see what Paul means by being profitable and edifying:
1 Corinthians 10:24 - "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being."Paul is telling us that we should be seeking ways to build up Christ’s church and any activity we engage in must meet this final test. Does it build up the church? Does it set us apart from nonbelievers as "holy?" Is what we are about to do or engage in setting a Christian example to our fellow Christians and those around us? Can you defend your decision to get that tattoo in light of this New Covenant scripture? I think that we now have a clear picture of what the bible has to say about tattoos. I, myself, have never felt the need or desire to mark my body with either ink or piercings; that was my choice. I have simply never seen an image that I would want to display on my skin for the rest of my life. Again - the final decision will always rest with you. Perhaps the idea is something you may just want to contemplate long and hard. Think about it! And pray for guidance. May God’s peace be with you always.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
On False Assurance - Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ - Matthew 7:21-23
I’m sure you know many folks who are quick and proud to claim their Christianity (depending on the circumstances and/or where they are). Trust me; all the people who know me, whether friends or merely acquaintances know I’m a Christian. No matter where I am I’m always quick to let people around me know exactly what my belief system is . . . whether they believe the way I do or not.
So it always concerns me when I hear a person claiming to be a Christian go off on a tangent about their belief about salvation. The red flag usually pops up with these three words, “I feel that . . . .” Those three little words are generally the kiss of death to any discussion of correct soteriology. Because the proper understanding of our salvation doesn’t hinge on one’s “feeling” about the subject. Scripture is very concise about how we must be saved.
This “false assurance” usually rests upon three tenuous pillars: one is legalism (what I like to call, “Phariseeism”). Under legalism people believe they can achieve salvation by being good people . . . or at least being as good as they can. The second is universalism. Universalism is the belief that ultimately God will bring all people into salvation. In either case those who believe in these errors could not be further from the truth, as Christ declared in Matthew 7:21-23.
Universalism is an erroneous argument that God is a great and powerful “all-forgiving” Spirit in heaven who will ultimately bring us all home . . . in the end. But scripture tells us - “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’ ”
- 2 Timothy 2:19
Finally there is the soteriological error of Sacerdotalism. People who make this mistake believe they can achieve their salvation through sacremental performances such as saying “the sinner’s prayer,” stepping up to an “altar call,” or signing a “salvation card.” But again, it is not a man or woman’s performance which saves them.
The problem for most of these people is that after they imagine themselves “saved,” they fall back to their old ways of life. After all - once saved, always saved . . . right? The author of Hebrews has a thing to say about such a belief - “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.” - Hebrews 6:4-6
Such “saved” were enlightened. But enlightenment doesn’t assure salvation. Many people are aware (enlightened) of the gospel but are not saved. Many have been partakers of the Holy Spirit and have tasted the good word of God. Like “common grace” - the rain falls on the just and the unjust the same. But they are not saved. Finally it is impossible to renew these people to repentance . . . because they have never really repented to begin with! I can not give back to you something you never possessed to begin with. That is not to say that they cannot be saved, but they must drop the “I feel that . . .” notion and return through sound theology to the Lord Jesus Christ - in heart and mind and soul.
May the blessing of God be always upon you.
I’m sure you know many folks who are quick and proud to claim their Christianity (depending on the circumstances and/or where they are). Trust me; all the people who know me, whether friends or merely acquaintances know I’m a Christian. No matter where I am I’m always quick to let people around me know exactly what my belief system is . . . whether they believe the way I do or not.
So it always concerns me when I hear a person claiming to be a Christian go off on a tangent about their belief about salvation. The red flag usually pops up with these three words, “I feel that . . . .” Those three little words are generally the kiss of death to any discussion of correct soteriology. Because the proper understanding of our salvation doesn’t hinge on one’s “feeling” about the subject. Scripture is very concise about how we must be saved.
This “false assurance” usually rests upon three tenuous pillars: one is legalism (what I like to call, “Phariseeism”). Under legalism people believe they can achieve salvation by being good people . . . or at least being as good as they can. The second is universalism. Universalism is the belief that ultimately God will bring all people into salvation. In either case those who believe in these errors could not be further from the truth, as Christ declared in Matthew 7:21-23.
Universalism is an erroneous argument that God is a great and powerful “all-forgiving” Spirit in heaven who will ultimately bring us all home . . . in the end. But scripture tells us - “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’ ”
- 2 Timothy 2:19
Finally there is the soteriological error of Sacerdotalism. People who make this mistake believe they can achieve their salvation through sacremental performances such as saying “the sinner’s prayer,” stepping up to an “altar call,” or signing a “salvation card.” But again, it is not a man or woman’s performance which saves them.
The problem for most of these people is that after they imagine themselves “saved,” they fall back to their old ways of life. After all - once saved, always saved . . . right? The author of Hebrews has a thing to say about such a belief - “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.” - Hebrews 6:4-6
Such “saved” were enlightened. But enlightenment doesn’t assure salvation. Many people are aware (enlightened) of the gospel but are not saved. Many have been partakers of the Holy Spirit and have tasted the good word of God. Like “common grace” - the rain falls on the just and the unjust the same. But they are not saved. Finally it is impossible to renew these people to repentance . . . because they have never really repented to begin with! I can not give back to you something you never possessed to begin with. That is not to say that they cannot be saved, but they must drop the “I feel that . . .” notion and return through sound theology to the Lord Jesus Christ - in heart and mind and soul.
May the blessing of God be always upon you.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Awakenings - Ezekiel 36:26-28
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.” Ezekiel 36:26-28
The term “regeneration” mean many things to many people. For our purposes here I will limit its definition to the awakening of faith within the fallen sinner. And what is the source of this awakening of faith? Is it man, himself? Is it some series of worldly events? Is it a desire to be closer to God? Fortunately for mankind the answer to all of these is an emphatic “No!” The source of the spiritual awakening in man is God, Himself, and only God.
As our heavenly Father says in Ezekiel 36:26-28, He will give . . . He will put . . . He will be. It is all from a loving and merciful God that we are graced with a new heart and new spirit. Regeneration is the work of God. We merely receive the blessing.
Why? Why does God select us for this awakening? In one of the two occurrences of the word “regeneration” in scripture Paul tells why God grants us this most prized blessing. “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” - Titus 3:3-7.
Mankind is simply and ultimately sinful. Without God’s perfect gift of regeneration we could never be saved. We would never seek God if left to our own devices. Something about us had to change or be changed and that is our hearts. It is because of God’s kindness, love, and mercy that we are regenerated with God’s spirit. It is a one time event and it awakens in us our need for God. According to Herbert W. Lockyer, “The moment faith receives Christ, the miracle of regeneration takes place.”
God’s gift is regeneration; our role includes both repentance and yielding to Christ through faith. Then we are truly “new creations” in Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 . A new heart; a new spirit; we are His people and He is our God.
All glory and honor to Jesus Christ, forever and ever.
The term “regeneration” mean many things to many people. For our purposes here I will limit its definition to the awakening of faith within the fallen sinner. And what is the source of this awakening of faith? Is it man, himself? Is it some series of worldly events? Is it a desire to be closer to God? Fortunately for mankind the answer to all of these is an emphatic “No!” The source of the spiritual awakening in man is God, Himself, and only God.
As our heavenly Father says in Ezekiel 36:26-28, He will give . . . He will put . . . He will be. It is all from a loving and merciful God that we are graced with a new heart and new spirit. Regeneration is the work of God. We merely receive the blessing.
Why? Why does God select us for this awakening? In one of the two occurrences of the word “regeneration” in scripture Paul tells why God grants us this most prized blessing. “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” - Titus 3:3-7.
Mankind is simply and ultimately sinful. Without God’s perfect gift of regeneration we could never be saved. We would never seek God if left to our own devices. Something about us had to change or be changed and that is our hearts. It is because of God’s kindness, love, and mercy that we are regenerated with God’s spirit. It is a one time event and it awakens in us our need for God. According to Herbert W. Lockyer, “The moment faith receives Christ, the miracle of regeneration takes place.”
God’s gift is regeneration; our role includes both repentance and yielding to Christ through faith. Then we are truly “new creations” in Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 . A new heart; a new spirit; we are His people and He is our God.
All glory and honor to Jesus Christ, forever and ever.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
No Home to Phone, E.T - Psalm 115:15-16
May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
The highest heavens belong to the Lord,
but the earth he has given to mankind.
- Psalm 115:15-16
What can we infer from these verses? Obviously, that God created the heavens and the earth; that the heavens belong to God; and that He has given the earth to man. I will save the fact that God created the heavens and the earth for another time. What I want to emphasis in this post is the fact that the heavens “belong to God,” and that He has given the earth to mankind.
Notice, if you will, the curious absence of any reference to extraterrestrial life. In these all encompassing verses. It is nowhere stated or even mentioned that any other life form exists besides our heavenly Creator and . . . us! No E.T., my brother; none - zip - nada - zero! Now when you consider all the evidence we have accumulated over the years of space exploration there isn’t one shred that points to any other life-form anywhere else in the entire universe. Every photograph we have ever recovered from our expensive explorations reveals . . . nothing; nothing but piles of rock and dirt. Nowhere have we ever seen the slightest hint of life anywhere but here, on earth!
Now, as a Christian, don’t you believe that if God in His infinite wisdom had created another life form somewhere in the universe he would have made us aware of it? Why not? The bible opens it’s very first chapter with an account of God’s creation of the universe and the earth. He certainly speaks to us about the creation of living creatures including “ . . .birds . . .(and) great living sea creatures and every living thing that moves,” (Genesis 1:20-21). He goes on to tell us that He “made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:25) No, God certainly isn’t shy when it comes to declaring the life He created . . . ON EARTH!
Why? What possible motive would our heavenly Father have for hiding His involvement with the creation of life elsewhere in the universe? And when you understand God’s plan for mankind it becomes even more difficult to believe that He created life elsewhere - “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in our own image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle over all the earth and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’” (Genesis 1:26) Scripture does not reveal a different plan for other worlds or galaxies. It speaks to us only of man and his dominion over the earth.
What possible reason can you imagine that God would have given man, a creature He created in His own image, dominion over the planet earth and all it’s varying life-forms? The answer lies in the first line of Psalm 115:16 - “the highest heavens belong to the Lord,”. Earth, he has given to mankind. This special, one of a kind celestial body alone has been given life by its Creator. The heavens remain God’s and God’s alone. He shares them with no one, especially not E.T. May God bless you and keep you.
the Maker of heaven and earth.
The highest heavens belong to the Lord,
but the earth he has given to mankind.
- Psalm 115:15-16
What can we infer from these verses? Obviously, that God created the heavens and the earth; that the heavens belong to God; and that He has given the earth to man. I will save the fact that God created the heavens and the earth for another time. What I want to emphasis in this post is the fact that the heavens “belong to God,” and that He has given the earth to mankind.
Notice, if you will, the curious absence of any reference to extraterrestrial life. In these all encompassing verses. It is nowhere stated or even mentioned that any other life form exists besides our heavenly Creator and . . . us! No E.T., my brother; none - zip - nada - zero! Now when you consider all the evidence we have accumulated over the years of space exploration there isn’t one shred that points to any other life-form anywhere else in the entire universe. Every photograph we have ever recovered from our expensive explorations reveals . . . nothing; nothing but piles of rock and dirt. Nowhere have we ever seen the slightest hint of life anywhere but here, on earth!
Now, as a Christian, don’t you believe that if God in His infinite wisdom had created another life form somewhere in the universe he would have made us aware of it? Why not? The bible opens it’s very first chapter with an account of God’s creation of the universe and the earth. He certainly speaks to us about the creation of living creatures including “ . . .birds . . .(and) great living sea creatures and every living thing that moves,” (Genesis 1:20-21). He goes on to tell us that He “made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:25) No, God certainly isn’t shy when it comes to declaring the life He created . . . ON EARTH!
Why? What possible motive would our heavenly Father have for hiding His involvement with the creation of life elsewhere in the universe? And when you understand God’s plan for mankind it becomes even more difficult to believe that He created life elsewhere - “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in our own image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle over all the earth and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’” (Genesis 1:26) Scripture does not reveal a different plan for other worlds or galaxies. It speaks to us only of man and his dominion over the earth.
What possible reason can you imagine that God would have given man, a creature He created in His own image, dominion over the planet earth and all it’s varying life-forms? The answer lies in the first line of Psalm 115:16 - “the highest heavens belong to the Lord,”. Earth, he has given to mankind. This special, one of a kind celestial body alone has been given life by its Creator. The heavens remain God’s and God’s alone. He shares them with no one, especially not E.T. May God bless you and keep you.
Monday, August 5, 2013
On the Longsuffering of God - Habakkuk 1:2-4
O Lord, how long shall I cry,
And You will not hear?
Even cry out to You, “Violence!”
And You will not save.
Why do You show me iniquity,
And cause me to see trouble?
For plundering and violence are before me;
There is strife, and contention arises.
Therefore the law is powerless,
And justice never goes forth.
For the wicked surround the righteous;
Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.
- Habakkuk 1:2-4
Here the prophet, Habakkuk, cries out to God, complaining of plundering, violence, strife, and contention. In many ways we see the same problems in contemporary society. There is certainly plundering of the weak by the powerful; violence occurs globally in nonstop fashion; strife between nations, faiths, races, and ethnicities is rampant; contention permeates every walk of life. Is there any of us who have not asked God why He hasn’t intervened? Is there anyone who hasn’t wished to see God right a wrong? We might all be careful what we wish for.
We must try to remember Romans 3:23 - “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Understanding that we are all sinners should temper our fervent desire to see God’s holy wrath brought down upon anyone. After all, we are all deserving of God’s justice, are we not?
If this is true then we should give thanks and find solace in God’s tender mercies. The psalmist says it best. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.” - Psalm 103:8. Were He not, perhaps His primary target for holy justice would be us, not those we feel deserve the terror of His immediate wrath. How grateful I am that my Lord and God has shown me patience and longsuffering. I can certainly remember times that a God quick to anger and exact justice would have struck me down without a second thought. To my Lord I am eternally grateful He has not seen fit to do so.
So the next time you feel the frustration of living in cold, callous, and sinful times hold these words in your heart. “But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.” - Psalm 86:15. Praise God with your thanks rather than petition Him with your complaints.
May God always show you the patience and longsuffering of His love.
And You will not hear?
Even cry out to You, “Violence!”
And You will not save.
Why do You show me iniquity,
And cause me to see trouble?
For plundering and violence are before me;
There is strife, and contention arises.
Therefore the law is powerless,
And justice never goes forth.
For the wicked surround the righteous;
Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.
- Habakkuk 1:2-4
Here the prophet, Habakkuk, cries out to God, complaining of plundering, violence, strife, and contention. In many ways we see the same problems in contemporary society. There is certainly plundering of the weak by the powerful; violence occurs globally in nonstop fashion; strife between nations, faiths, races, and ethnicities is rampant; contention permeates every walk of life. Is there any of us who have not asked God why He hasn’t intervened? Is there anyone who hasn’t wished to see God right a wrong? We might all be careful what we wish for.
We must try to remember Romans 3:23 - “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Understanding that we are all sinners should temper our fervent desire to see God’s holy wrath brought down upon anyone. After all, we are all deserving of God’s justice, are we not?
If this is true then we should give thanks and find solace in God’s tender mercies. The psalmist says it best. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.” - Psalm 103:8. Were He not, perhaps His primary target for holy justice would be us, not those we feel deserve the terror of His immediate wrath. How grateful I am that my Lord and God has shown me patience and longsuffering. I can certainly remember times that a God quick to anger and exact justice would have struck me down without a second thought. To my Lord I am eternally grateful He has not seen fit to do so.
So the next time you feel the frustration of living in cold, callous, and sinful times hold these words in your heart. “But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.” - Psalm 86:15. Praise God with your thanks rather than petition Him with your complaints.
May God always show you the patience and longsuffering of His love.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Sometimes It Just Takes An Earthquake - Acts 16: 30-31 “The Philippian Jailer”
Living through an earthquake is arguably one of the most harrowing events one could ever experience. The paralyzing fear that must take hold as the very ground beneath you shakes and trembles is possibly indescribable. The story of the Philippian Jailer is one such account.
The back-story begins in Acts 16:25-29. We encounter a Roman soldier charged with guarding the jail. His duty was to see that the prisoners, his prisoners, remained incarcerated under lock and key. In his prison sat two remarkable men, Paul and his helper, Silas. They had been beaten and thrown in jail on the usual charges: spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
That night a ground-splitting earthquake shook the very foundation of the prison and awoke the slumbering guard. Upon discovering that the powerful quake had literally left the cell doors hanging ajar an even greater fear befell him - the prisoners, his prisoners, had escaped!
Now, under Roman military protocol a soldier who allowed a prisoner to escape brought a sentence of death upon himself for failure to carry out his duty. But tonight, our soldier would not subject himself to the humiliation of a military tribunal and summary execution. He would save his pride and do the deed himself with his own sword. He would not be the first victim of pride.
As he readied himself for suicide the strangest thing happened - his prisoner, Paul, cried out in a loud voice, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” True, the quake had opened all the gates but Paul and the other prisoners remained in their cells.
At this point something wonderful happened. Just as God had used an earthquake to shake and open the earth, He opened the Roman soldier’s heart.
The jailer fell to his knees and reacted in faith to God’s earthquake as we see in Acts 16:30-31 -And he brought them out and said,”Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
What “earthquake” did God use to open your heart? For those as yet unsaved, what earthquake will he use? Sometimes it is the death of a loved one. Sometimes it’s the loss of a job, or home, or marriage. Sometimes it’s the rock bottom one hits with a addiction. For many, myself included, it took a hard moment in life to realize - to understand- that we could not save ourselves; that we needed Jesus Christ in our lives as both Lord and Savior.
We had to hit bottom for Jesus to raise us up. God doesn’t help the haughty. He doesn’t help the arrogant or the proud. They are already “self-elevated.” In reality, it is a cruel and merciless satanic joke played on them. Only Christ can raise us up to salvation. And Christ can only reach down to help us up. Until we find ourselves in that precarious position we are “above” being saved. Remember Matthew 9:12 - “When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”
When we understand that we are incapable of redeeming ourselves and that our entire salvation is dependent upon Christ we also understand the meaning of Acts 4:12 - “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
From his knees the proud duty-bound Philippian Jailer found his salvation in the one name that could save him - Jesus Christ. Sometimes it just takes an earthquake.
God grant you a blessing of peace.
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